The Islanders now have one year under their belt at Barclays Center, are under new majority owners and have broken a 23-year drought without an appearance in the second round of the playoffs.

Those were three huge steps the franchise has taken over the past year.

But how to keep moving forward from their second-round ouster at the hands of the Lightning is a more complicated endeavor, and one the Islanders are trying to do with a team that is very different from those of recent vintage.

They lost three longtime forwards to free agency, as Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin all signed deals elsewhere. Young forwards Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Ho-Sang opened eyes in training camp, and though they all won’t start in the NHL, it’s likely all three will see some important time throughout the season.

Star center John Tavares, 26, is in his prime with two more years before free agency. Showing improvement — along with stability in their Brooklyn home under the stewardship of owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin — could go a long way to allowing him to make the decision he prefers, which is to stay with a team that is rising to be a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup.

Offense

The question looms every year: Who will play with Tavares? There was an attempt by general manager Garth Snow to reignite an old flame with P.A. Parenteau, but that experiment went bust when the team waived the 33-year-old journeyman Monday. It’s likely new addition Andrew Ladd — he of the seven-year, $38.5 million deal — will be on the left, and the right is one of the most coveted wing spots in the league.

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Behind Tavares, there needs to be some secondary scoring, with the hope new signee Jason Chimera can kick in a little. There need to be steps forward taken by Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and Anders Lee, and a big uptick in point production from Josh Bailey. Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck remain together on an energetic fourth line even without Matt Martin, and more offense from them would be welcome.

Defense

If veteran Dennis Seidenberg can stay healthy, his late-preseason signing of a one-year, $1 million deal will seem like a good value. Snow bringing in the versatile lefty, now 35 years old, also shows some small cracks in confidence in the readiness of young defensemen Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech.

Yet the “D” is still run by Travis Hamonic and Nick Leddy, while Johnny Boychuk is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season. Calvin de Haan has matured into a stable minutes-eater, as has Thomas Hickey. All are steady in their own end, but the team will need them to be more offensive-minded.

Goaltending

It was a terrific sight for the Islanders to watch starter Jaroslav Halak stay healthy and play so well while leading Team Europe all the way to a surprising showing in the World Cup final in September. It’s his net yet again, with Thomas Greiss showing this past year he can carry the load if (or when) Halak gets hurt or needs a breather. The team is still carrying Jean-Francois Berube, as well, and is likely all ears on trade offers.

Coaching

Jack Capuano is entering his sixth full year behind the Islanders bench, making him the fourth-longest-tenured coach in the league. His ability to develop young players is a strength, but this is a win-now team, and he still deals with the question of whether he can be a win-now coach. The question will subside only if the Isles keep going further in the postseason, this year needing Capuano to take them to the conference final in order to see progress.

Keys to the season

Most important offensive player: John Tavares. The two-time Hart Trophy finalist has the ability to put the team on his back when needed.

Nick LeddyGetty Images

Most important defensive player: Nick Leddy. At even-strength and on both specialty teams, Leddy’s superior skating ability makes him a weapon.

Top rookie: Mathew Barzal. The 19-year-old has shown incredible vision in the preseason, but when he gets his chance, he needs to show he can play away from the puck.

Key coaching decision: Who’s on Tavares’ wing? Needing to best utilize their best player, Capuano has to find someone to take advantage of Tavares’ supreme skill.

Prediction

It’s hard to think they got better from this past season. Wild-card berth and an early exit from the playoffs.